Review – Divide and Conquer by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Publisher: Dreamspinner
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley

Cut & Run Series Book Four – Sequel to Fish & Chips

Baltimore, Maryland, is a city in alarming distress. Rising violence is fanning the flames of public outrage, and all law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are catching blame. Thus the FBI’s latest ideas to improve public relations: a municipal softball league and workshops for community leaders. But the new commitments just mean more time Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have to spend apart when they’re happily exploring how to be more than by-the-book partners.

Then the latest spate of crime explodes in their faces—literally—throwing the city, the Bureau, and Ty and Zane’s volatile partnership both in and out of the office into chaos. They’re hip-deep in trouble, trying to track down bombers and bank robbers in the dark with very few clues, and the only way to reach the light at the end of the tunnel together requires Ty and Zane to close their eyes and trust each other to the fiery end. *Blurb from Goodreads*

NOTE: This review has spoilers for the previous books in the series.

So I was looking for something a little different to read that I wouldn’t normally pick up, and after hearing Mandi from Smexybooks go on and on and on and on about this series, I realized that I had the first book in the series as a free download and decided to try it out. Oh. My. Gawd. Hooked. I was immediately drawn into Ty and Zane. I actually inhaled all four books in a week, as well as two other books from Urban and Roux’s backlist.

This is the fourth book in the Cut & Run series, and we left Ty and Zane after their insane cruise ship incident. Ty told Zane how he really feels, and we have yet to hear those three little words back from Zane. A case of serial bank robberies and bombings have them front and center in both their case and with the media. With their relationship still on rocky ground and their case blowing up left and right, these two will be pushed to their limits once again.

I love that Urban and Roux don’t pull their punches when they write. If there is even the slightest chance Ty or Zane could be hurt (emotionally or physically) these two get put through the ringer. I’m still waiting for a time when these two aren’t beaten down, landing up in the hospital or scarred emotionally. But for me, it’s part of the charm of these two. They literally go through hell and back for each other and their relationship. The bond between these two men is so strong it’s incredible.

One of the biggest draws to this series for me is the suspense and mystery action. And while the first three books were VERY well done in that aspect, I didn’t feel it was done as strongly in this book. It seemed as if the action and mystery of the case really took a backseat to the relationship aspect of this book, which isn’t a bad thing, but I would have liked a little more suspense along the way.

There were two things about this book that absolutely crushed me (in both good and bad ways). The first was the situation with Ty’s best friend Nick. I was not a big fan of the way that played out, and awhile I was glad to see Ty come out to his friends, what followed was also a little bit of a WTF moment for me. It felt forced and unnecessary and a little out of the blue. I can only hope and pray that nothing else comes of it in the future. Also, the ending absolutely killed me. I sat and stared at my nook for almost a full five minutes, in shock that it had ended there. I wanted more. Needed more! Thankfully there was a little teaser for the next book, so I had a little relief there.

All in all I am so so happy that I decided to branch out and try this series. From the first moment Ty and Zane stepped onto the page I was in love. They are both such strong Alpha heroes, but at the same time there is such a dept to their relationship that it sucks you in and keeps you turning the page as quickly as possible. I can’t wait for more Ty and Zane and to see where else this series will go!
I give Divide and Conquer an A-

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About MinnChica

MinnChica can usually be found with her nose in a book (or nook), and can ALWAYS find a few minutes to read: stuck at a red light, sitting in the doctors office, on her lunch break. She's so addicted to reading that her family frequently threatens to host an intervention. Currently MinnChica is devouring every romance book she can get her hands on, especially ones that feature 'friends to lovers' stories. Some of her favorite authors currently are Ilona Andrews, Jill Myles, Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh and Susan Mallery.

*sigh* Ty and Zane. This series wrecks me for days after I read a new book in it then I have to re-read them again. Ty Grady has easily moved his way up my list to 2nd favorite book character ever. So glad you are liking them!

Not to use the same word as Samantha, but this series totally wrecks me too. I become so emotionally involved as I read..kills me. The end made me gasp – but I think we are okay based on the excerpt.

The Nick thing made me VERY nervous – so glad nothing came of it – and I don’t even think it had to be in there. I did like Ty telling his close friends though- and how they all reacted differently. Well done.

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